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‘My gamer name,’ Robyn explained to her friend. ‘He never knew my real one.’

‘She’s only ever been Red to me,’ Fox said bashfully.

‘Aha. Makes sense.’ Wren pointed towards Robyn’s hair. ‘But Silver007?’ Wren raised an eyebrow at Fox, laughing.

‘Well, at least the colour’s right.’ He smiled ruefully and Robyn suddenly wanted to defend him. He’d had some serious secret service moves the way he’d snuck around that hotel that night and into her bedroom without anyone knowing. And, come to think of it, the way he’d snuck out again in the morning before she had even woken up had been pretty smooth. She hadn’t heard a thing and had woken up to cold sheets on his side of the bed where she’d been hoping there’d be a hot body. Because to be honest, under that outdoorsy, wholesome exterior was a sizzling set of abs.

She extended her hand and lifted her chin.

‘Robyn Wells,’ she said. How strange to not even know his name.

‘Fox James.’ His hand met hers. Wow. She remembered the touch of his fingers on her skin and enjoyed the momentary squeeze of her hand in his.

‘When was this then, that you two met?’ Wren asked.

‘Last autumn,’ Robyn said. ‘I told you I came over for my cousin’s wedding and managed to pick up a few days’ work while I was here.’ She couldn’t help but grin at Fox, strangely happy to see him again, even though he probably hadn’t thought about her ever since.

Wren tapped her fingers on the counter, then turned to Fox.

‘So, was this at that convention when your game was being put through final testing, Fox?’

Robyn stilled. His game? What was Wren talking about? He’d been on the testing team with her. He glanced at her and then away.

‘You know, when you met the investors for that big meeting?’ Wren continued. Fox chewed at the side of his mouth and then nodded. ‘When Etienne and Isabella looked after the boys and everyone got sick?’ Wren was laughing to herself at some memory.

‘You didn’t tell me it was your game?’ Robyn said, gobsmacked. ‘That’s amazing! I thought you were just one of the test team. I should have known with those gaming skills.’

They’d met when they ended up lounging beside one another on a bean bag in the testing room, both of them with a controller in their hands. They’d teamed up at various points in the game to get each other through the different levels. If it was his game, it would explain how he seemed to know so many shortcuts to bypass dangers and find fuel. He’d been fun, taking risks and encouraging her, laughing at her moves and then high-fiving her when she did something he liked. After they’d completed the game, he’d taken her hand and led her through the crowd to the bar, where they’d danced and drunk and edged closer on their stools, until she suggested the nightcap. The rest was history.

When she woke the next day and he had left, after the first sting of disappointment that there wouldn’t be a round two, she’d smiled. Because for one night, it had been perfect. And with him gone, it wouldn’t be spoiled by morning breath or awkward silences.

Like right now.

They looked at each other and she could feel a flush rising on her neck.

‘I was incognito,’ he said and Wren laughed. ‘So I could see what the testers really thought of the game.’

‘A proper spy!’ Wren said and then, suddenly, ‘But wait.’ She spun towards Fox and held him in place with her hand on his forearm. ‘Wasn’t it that night you had the one-night stand?’

Fox blanched and his eyes flicked towards Robyn. Robyn felt her heart race. But before Wren had a chance to say more, Rosie appeared holding Willow and Robyn’s world stood still as her past crashed into her present. Everything around her faded away because there was the baby, chubby fisted and gurgling with her arms outstretched. The beautiful, unexpected, surprising souvenir of that one night together. The gift that Fox didn’t know existed – their daughter, Willow.

‘Here she is,’ Rosie said in a sing-song voice, obliviously passing Willow over to Robyn’s open arms. ‘Someone wanted her mama.’

‘Mama?’ Fox repeated, flicking his eyes between Willow and Robyn.

Robyn felt the bottom fall out of her stomach as her mind scrambled through possible explanations.

‘This is my daughter, Willow,’ she said truthfully, trying to buy time, keeping her eyes on her baby instead of Fox.

‘Daughter?’ Fox said and Robyn looked up into eyes that were flashing with panic, looking at the size of the baby in her arms. She could see him trying to work out dates in his head – attempting to calculate how many months ago they’d had their one night of passion. She breathed out slowly, trying to remain calm enough to do some calculations of her own. So that she was able to say the right thing, right now. There was only one thing for it. She had to lie.

‘Yes, I got pregnant travelling after the games night, Willow was born in July,’ she said and dropped a kiss onto Willow’s fair hair to avoid his eye.

‘Wait,’ Wren interrupted, a frown flicking over her face, ‘I thought you said she was born in June?’

Panic turned Robyn’s stomach over, but she forced a laugh.

‘Did I?’ she trilled. ‘Gosh, that jet lag must have been worse than I thought! Definitely July!’